Alliance for Papillomavirus Assay

Working toward an assay for the human papillomavirus (HPV), Gen-Probe (San Diego, CA, USA) has announced a supply and purchase agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. and Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. (Basel, Switzerland), under which Gen-Probe will purchase products for use in molecular diagnostic assays for HPV.

Under the agreement, Roche will manufacture DNA probes for HPV, which Gen-Probe will purchase at agreed-upon transfer prices. Gen-Probe has also agreed to pay initial manufacturing fees in two installments. Gen-Probe plans to use the HPV probes supplied by Roche in Gen-Probe's APTIMA format HPV test kits to detect high-risk subtypes of HPV. The group of viruses known as HPV includes more than 100 different subtypes. Some infect the skin and cause warts, while others are sexually transmitted. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV subtypes is acknowledged as the primary cause of cervical cancer, and high-risk subtypes are found in more than 99% of cervical cancer cases.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta, GA, USA), about 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire HPV infection at some point in their lives.

"Developing an HPV test is an important part of Gen-Probe's long-term strategy to enter new markets where there are important medical needs and attractive commercial opportunities,” said Henry L. Nordhoff, chairman, president, and CEO of Gen-Probe.





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